- The Lord was glorified and His resurrection was celebrated!
- Beautiful day!
- So many things to mention.
- Our volunteers brought their A game of service and it was a wonderful act of worship on this resurrection weekend.
- So MANY GUESTS!
- The Lord really seemed to bless the mailer we sent out.
- This weekend as we shared the gospel message I gave people an opportunity to trust Christ in their seat and then stand if they made that commitment. We had around 15 or so people stand signifying they trusted Christ as the leader and Lord of their life.
- I said that if Christ died for you, the least you could do is stand for Him.
- ALL of our volunteers and staff had a part in every single decision!!!!
- The men in the Living Lord’s Supper drama did a fantastic job! So proud of the men.
- I wish you could have been in my office last night to hear those men pray – it was a highlite of my Easter weekend.
- Several men in the drama have been at Parkview 6+ years and it has been amazing to watch God’s work in their life!
- My son, Seth, insisted on going to the sunrise service. It was sweet to watch him help break down the chairs after the service was over.
- 5 sevices is alot. I was ready to go to bed at 8pm but we dvr’ed the Masters and I just finished O.D. ing on that.
- Had a nice day with the family over some really good food.
- Tomorrow, Ike and I have a breakfast appointment with my Pastor, Tom Messer and his admin pastor, Gary Judd.
- The rest of the staff are enjoying a much deserved day off. The office will be closed tomorrow.
- I was reminded again this weekend what a major improvement our new lighting was!!
- Derek, John and Barry continue to do an incredible job. Not just Easter but every weekend!
- My assistant Pam and her wonderful crew did everything this week in the midst of our copier going out on Wednesday. Way to go ladies!!!
- Watching Christ wash the disciples feet in our drama brought tears to my eyes at the 9 am service. That was so like our Savior!!
- Jay Caruso took pictures at the Sat. night service. You can click here to view the photos on his blog. Thanks Jay – great photos!
- God is so awesome and Jesus so phenomenal – what a privilege to lay it all out for them on Easter weekend!
- Please pray that many of our guests will return!!!!!!!!!
- Our entire worship team is so talented and uses those talents for God’s glory. They are not American Idol wanna be’s – they have a heart to worship the King of Kings!
- The icing on the cake was that we had over 1300 in attendance this weekend! Praise God!!
- I love pastoring Parkview and with that I am going to bed!
Archive - Church Life
RSS Feed
Easter Wrap Up
Easter Sermon Thoughts
Here is a first, I am going to post a little of my sermon before I preach it this weekend. Oh, by the way, don’t forget to INVITE!
- Easter has no meaning if it doesn’t mean something to you
- The resurrection is your receipt (I will drive this home and repeat in various ways and forms)
- A receipt verifies and validates and that is what the resurrection does – it verifies and validates Christ.
- The resurrection of the Redeemer guarantees the resurrection of the redeemed.
- When it comes to your future resurrection it is either cash or credit – I will explain that this weekend.
- A dead Savior cannot save anybody but a risen Savior can save everybody.
- My text will be I Corinthians 15
I have found myself praying for pastor friends, as well as, former staff members and their current churches as they prepare for a weekend of spiritual harvesting. I have also been praying for some of the local churches as they clearly share the gospel this weekend. Join me in praying for Palm Coast Community Church, Palm Coast Church, Lifecoast, First Baptist Palm Coast, First Baptist Bunnell and Community Baptist Korona.
INVITE!
I won’t go into great detail right now, but I was privileged to meet with David Ottoti, CEO of our hospital, for about an hour yesterday. Parkview and Flagler Hospital are looking to partner in a phenomenal endeavor. We don’t have the details all ironed out but we took steps in the right direction yesterday. Please be praying and I will give details in church next weekend. Two of our church members, Dr. Darren Peterson and Annette Collazo, are employees at the hospital and they were present – Thanks you two!!!
Please pray for people to stand and trust Christ this weekend!
I will be posting Friday and Saturday so stay tuned!
Bring your A game
There are 52 big weekends a year! But this weekend is HUGE!! We gather to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior – we will celebrate newness of life, victory over the grave and the abundant life found in Christ.
We will probably have over 1,000 people in church this weekend. We will have our 4 normal service times, plus our sunrise service at Princess Place Preserve. We also have some huge programming elements! All in all, this is a very busy week!
I promise you that our staff has brought their A game. Pastor Derek has been working 14 hour days; the admin staff has a whatever it takes attiude; our other pastors are very busy contributing to the big picture. Everyone is giving their best and under the pressure there has been a whole lot of joy and laughter!
This weekend I know that a couple hundred volunteers are coming for a massive celebration of the risen Savior and one of the ways they will woship Him is by bringing their A game of service. Just check out the first impressions team – smiles from ear to ear, a contagious spirit, and the warmest of welcomes. A nursery team that portrays that their day has been made by the arrival of one of God’s little ones. A Son Zone team that is thrilled by a large amount of guests and in every way will recognize the holy moment God has given them to minister to all the children – over 100 of them! Watch our entre worship team and see if they don’t lift up God giving Him His total due! They will use song, drama and art to open the hearts of people and bring them to death’s Victor. I could go on and on, but just keep your eyes open and you will see people on their A game!
To all our volunteers – I am praying for you. Enjoy Easter weekend and bring the worship of your A game!
I throw out to you the same question I asked you yesterday – What is it about this Easter season (Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter) that you really enjoy? What has special meaning or significance to you this time of year?
Easter and more
- INVITE, INVITE, INVITE, INVITE
- Drama practice was 3 hours last night – 2 more practices this week – going to be awesome.
- One surprise artistic element that is going to be phenomenal.
- INVITE, INVITE!!
- All the staff participated in some audio work for our post-Easter series, Who are You?.
- That series is going to include a great fellowship component
- We are going to have a member services link (yellow pages for our church family) or call it whatever you want but I think you get the idea – on our church website. Beginning the week after Easter we will be collecting all the data. You will fill out a form in the bulletin if you would like your bussiness or service info included.
- Weather is looking really good for the sunrise service.
- How about these 30 mph winds – sure beats the snow in Michigan though!
- INVITE!!!
- I asked our staff this morning, What is it about this Easter season (Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter) that you really enjoy? What has special meaning or significance to you this time of year?
- Please share – I think it will be an encouragement to other readers and it will also keep us from breezing through this holiday without a proper focus or thought.
Misc. Thoughts
This is the perfect monday morning!
- The windows are open and the breeze is blowing.
- We slept in.
- My hair is all over the place and I don’t care
- My own breath is starting to bother me though
- Eyes are still a little crusty
- We are watching Jon and Kate plus 8
It is spring break for Seth and we have rearranged our family schedule and taking some time together.
A few things about the weekend:
- First gear
- Barry did a great job communicating about the cross of Christ and what we must nail to the cross.
- The opportunity for everyone to write their sin, habit, hurt, pain, etc.. on a black peice of paper with black ink and come nail it to the cross was very powerful in all of the services!
- Second gear
- We introduced Ike as our new Church Administrator. Every service applauded and one service applauded twice. Think it is safe to say that everyone is excited.
- In case you missed it – Ike and his wife Charlene have been attending Parkview for 2+ years. Prior to that they attended North Point in Atlanta for 7 years. Ike most recently served as President of Operations at Bell South and oversaw 20,000 employees and 8 billion in Revenue. Needless to say he is the most overqualified Church Administrator. Yet, Ike is thrilled about undertaking the most important task of his life – serving the kingdom. Ike will work about 24 hours a week and also continue to do consulting and corporate board work.
- You can send Ike a word of welcome if you would like – ike@parkviewlife.com.
- Third gear
- Had a great elder meeting yesterday.
- Fourth gear
- Last night Denise and I had one of our best dates in the 20+ years we have known each other.
- It was surprise and I guess that was a little part of the fun.
- She is an amazing woman and I love her more everyday!
- Fifth gear
- Easter is going to be awesome!!
- Thanks to everyone who let us shoe polish their window.
- The post cards looked great and have hit the mail boxes.
- Each one of us now must do our part – give a personal invitation to someone to come with you and celebrate the risen Christ!
- Be blessed!
Great weekend coming!
- Really looking forward to this weekend!
- Palm Sunday with a special twist!
- A never done before, very powerful element in each service
- A staffing announcement will be made. Change is coming.
- Small group sign-up begins this weekend but you can already go and sign up online.
- 26 small groups and classes to choose from!
- Every night of the week groups meet.
- Mens groups, womens groups, couples groups and a college and career group.
- Brand new groups
- Night groups and morning groups.
- You have no excuses!
- Easter is going to be phenomenal – invite everyone you know!
- Please pray right now for our 30,000 piece mailer that will go out by the end of this week.
- Can’t wait to see you this weekend!!
Opportunity
Today was a good day. It seems like the time just flies and there are not enough hours, yet I know God has given me all the time I need to accomplish what He wants me to accomplish. It is good to finish a day and know that not everything got done and that is just fine.
I would like to pass along an opportunity, but first let me share the story. There is a young family in our church who has been attending for about a year. They have 3 children and the oldest is 6 years old. I met with the husband today. He has been out of work for about a month, the bills are stacking up and he is daily trusting the Lord. They have been selling everything possible on craigslist just to generate some cash. He waited to the last minute to come see me because he is not looking for a handout. He told me today that their water has been shut off since last Thursday – yes you just read that right! As a result of the Parkview Celebrate offering, we will be getting the families water turned back on tomorrow – PTL. Thanks to the generosity of our church we loaded him up with groceries! Here is what I want to give you an opportunity to do – hire him. He is not looking for a handout but is willing to work to earn some money. He does carpentry, dry wall, tile, carpet and a few other handyman type construction. He has volunteered work at the church in the past and done great work. He is willing to do anything. I have hired him to do some yard work for me – trimming trees, mulching etc. I have got him on Thursday and after that his calendar is wide open. Email me and I will put you in touch and get you his number. If you have anything he can do shoot me an email right now – greg@parkviewlife.com.
I just felt like the Lord would have me throw this out there – let’s see how we can help this family through a very difficult season of their life.
Tomorrow is Coming
The day is drawing to a close and I hope to be in bed in just a few minutes.
Tomorrow is the first Book Over Breakfast as our guys begin the journey through Love Dare. We have about 20 guys going through the book. I really believe this will help our marriages!
Tomorrow night is Parkview Celebrate. In fact a couple of the guys in book over breakfast are getting baptised. If you have not purchased your tickets for the spagghetti dinner at 5:45 you can still get tickets at the door. The service starts at 7pm. I hope to see you there as we celebrate the goodness of God in song, rejoice with those following Christ in baptism and reflect on Christ’s sacrificial death through communion.
I will be closing the service by sharing a recent mistake that I made.
Welcome to the Family!
Dear JJ,
You won’t believe the incredible community of believers that exist at Parkview! But you will be privileged to meet us very soon, because our faith family has given a total of $4,837.06 to complete your adoption. Your new parents, Thomas and Renee, needed miracle and they got it! Meagan can’t wait to see you. Our church is the bomb and our children’s ministry is going to do our best to minister to you in whatever way possible. Our deaf ministry doesn’t have anybody as young as you, so I bet you will be the center of attention there as well when the time comes. We will pray for you faithfully until your safe arrival in Palm Coast.
Love,
Your new friends and family!
www.PalmCoastBailout.com
For me to say that these are challenging times would not suprise anyone.
The Dow has been in the midst of a pretty decent dive and there are all other kinds of indicators out there that point in a less than positive direction. We could hole up, draw inward and be consumed with our own needs or we can continue to allow these times to fuel compassionate outreach. We can live by fear or we can live in faith. Parkview chooses compassionate outreach and faith!
I took a moment this past weekend in each service and thanked the people of Parkview for giving faithfully, generously and joyfully. Our church family has not drawn inward they have continued to live by faith!
Living by faith does not mean that there will be no financial pressure, job loss or economic difficulties. But we do recognize that God is in control and He is our constant, the rock we build our life on and that to which our soul is anchored!
Beginning next weekend we will begin a series entitled, PalmCoastBailout.com. We will be sending out a post card to the surrounding community and I want you to be sure to invite your friends to hear this timely series. Check out the web www.palmcoastbailout.com. I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS SERIES!
John Skripko is offering a free financial seminar here at the church on Sat, March 7, from 9:30-11:00. John has taught on the subject many times here at Parkview. There is still room to sign up!
Also, don’t forget that we are raising funds to change a child’s life. All gifts for JJ need to be given by Mon, March 2nd! Please prayerfully consider how the Lord would have you to be involved.
One of the guys at the church sent me a list of jobs available here at the city. I thought I would post them here:
Job Alert for 2/20/2009
Equipment Operator I
$12.65 – $14.28 / hr
This full-time position requires a HS/GED & FL Class “B” CDL; supplemented by 11 mos related work exp & the ability to perform labor intensive work within difficult environmental conditions to include frequent lifting, pulling and pushing of 50 lbs, or an equivalent combination of education, training & exp. Concrete, asphalt, & irrigation exp preferred. Click on title for full job description.
Close Date : Open Until Filled
Apply Now
Equipment Operator II
$13.92 – $15.72 / hr
This full-time position requires a HS diploma or GED & FL Class “A” CDL; supplemented by 3 yrs light & heavy equipment operating exp, must be able to perform labor intensive work within difficult environmental conditions to include frequent lifting, pulling and pushing of 50 lbs, or an equivalent combination of education, training & exp. Concrete, asphalt, & irrigation exp preferred. Click on title for full job description.
Close Date : Open Until Filled
Apply Now
Maintenance Worker
$12.05 – $13.59 / hr
This full-time position requires a HS Diploma or GED, or ability to obtain one within 6 months of hiring date, valid FL DL (CDL preferred); supplemented by 2 years grounds keeping and/or general maintenance experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Concrete, asphalt, & irrigation exp preferred. Click on title for full job description.
Close Date : Open Until Filled
Apply Now
Utility Systems Technician I
$11.43 – $12.92 / hr
This full-time position requires a HS diploma or GED, valid FL DL; supplemented by 1 yr exp in public utilities or other large commercial plumbing systems, and the ability to operate heavy equipment & tools of the trade; or an equivalent combination of education, training, & exp. Will require “on call” basis after training for position has been completed. Click on title for full job description.
Close Date : 3/6/09 5:00PM
Apply Now
Facilities Clerk
$10.37 – $11.72 / hr
This part-time position requires a HS diploma or GED, valid FL DL; supplemented by 1 yr customer service, clerical, & cashiering exp. or an equivalent combination of education, training, and exp. Night & weekend hours are required. Click on title for full job description.
Close Date : 2/27/09 5:00PM
Apply Now
Recreation Leader II
$16.09 – $18.18 / hr
This part-time position requires a HS diploma or GED, valid FL DL, possession of a CPR cert, or ability to obtain one within 6 mos.; supplemented by 1 yr exp as a Recreation Leader within a similar recreational or education environment; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and exp. Night & weekend hours are required. Click on title for full job description.
Close Date : 3/6/09 5:00PM
What I Am Reading
